Next time you can’t decide between tacos or nachos for dinner combine the two with this easy Skillet Taco Nacho Bake!
This post is sponsored by McCormick in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
The big debate when the Mexican food craving strikes – do I go for the tacos or for the nachos? Each has their merits for choosing one above the other.
The tacos: Soft tortillas, choices of meats that have either been slow cooked for hours, seafood that’s been perfectly fried or good old fashioned – yet incredibly satisfying ground beef. All topped with a sprinkling of onion, a little avocado and a touch of cheese. It fulfills most requirements that I need and it’s portable.
Then you have the nachos: Crispy chips, a lot of cheese and endless options for toppings at your fingertips.
What to do? What. To. Do. . .
If you are me, you just combine the two. One night we could not decide whether to make tacos or nachos for dinner and everything that was needed was just sitting at my fingertips and then inspiration struck. Why not combine everything into a skillet?
Nacho making can sometimes produce a mess with having to cook the meat, transfer it to a baking sheet and then assemble everything to be baked in the oven from there.
What if we cooked it all in a skillet? One pan, one mess and a lot less to clean up.
Let’s also talk about the fact that seasoning for Mexican cooking involves breaking out practically every spice I own. It’s a process but would you believe there’s an easier option? I was recently introduced to the new skillet sauces from McCormick Spice. Dinner honestly couldn’t get any easier at this point.
You brown your beef (or perhaps turkey or chicken), add a little chopped onion and season with the sauce. No more rustling through the spice cabinet to take out 10 different spices to achieve that perfect Chipotle and Garlic taco seasoning. McCormick does it for you. For me personally, I found the heat level to be spot on but if you want more, just add some chopped jalapenos into the mix and you are golden.
At that point all you need to do is top with some cheese, tortilla chips and more cheese before a quick bake in the oven. Then presto in 10 minutes you have your tacos AND nachos!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- optional: 1 jalapeno, minced
- 1 package McCormick Taco with Chipotle & Garlic Skillet Sauce
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese shredded
- 3-4 cups tortilla chips
- To top: Salsa, Guacamole or Cubed Avocado
Instructions
- In a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat drizzle 1 teaspoon grapeseed or avocado oil and saute the onions until they are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. If using a jalapeno, add at this point.
- Add the ground beef, and break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Season with the salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink throughout.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully drain the excess grease.
- Return to the heat and stir in the skillet sauce, cook for about 1 minute or until heated throughout and it begins to thicken.
- Turn off the heat and heat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 of the shredded cheese over the ground beef and then top with the tortilla chips, crushing some of them up if need be to cover the top.
- Use the remaining shredded cheese to top the tortilla chips.
- Place in the oven to bake for 8-10 minutes or until the chips are crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove and let sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Scoop a portion out on to a plate and serve with salsa, guacamole or chopped avocado.
- Add a green salad for a complete meal.
If you are looking for more easy skillet dinners, check out the McCormick Pinterest Board and visit them on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
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- Chicken Enchilada Skillet by The Messy Baker
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- Creamy Sicilian Style Chicken Mushrooms Ham by Family Foodie
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- Fire Roasted Garlic Chili with Cilantro Lime Rice by Hip Foodie Mom
- One-Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Pasta by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Picadillo by kimchi MOM
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- Sicilian Skillet Chicken over Parmesan Zucchini “Noodles” by Amee’s Savory Dish
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We went out for Mexican last night and it was a major disappointment. I wish I had made this instead. I sure will next time I’m craving Mexican.
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Susan, oh my gawd, this skillet taco nacho bake looks soooo good!!! I want to eat this today!!
Yesssss – that is a real “struggle” in my life at times, “Tacos or Nachos?” I love that you solved my first world problem with this tasty skillet!
This would make my entire family very, very happy. I must make this!
LOVE your merging of tacos and nachos! I’d totally eat off all the topping, then move on to the fabulous taco filling!
I LOVE making nachos for supper and your baked version looks fantastic!
These nachos would be perfect for the game tonight!
Nachos sound wonderful for game night or any night!
What a fun dish! My kids would love this!
Sounds amazing! My kids would go nuts for this skillet meal! I might have to make this for the Super Bowl!
So glad I don’t ever have to feel bad about enjoying nachos for dinner – this recipe is just fantastic.
My boys love nachos! This would be a total hit in my house!
This is definitely my kind of meal. Love nachos and cooking them with the tortilla chips in the skillet is awesome.
Taco Nacho Bake? Brilliant, brilliant, BRILLIANT!
Thank goodness… I no longer have to make the tough decision of choosing between tacos or nachos. That right there is a real life crisis, I tell ya. These look absolutely wonderful. Pinned.
This looks incredible! I seriously just want to eat the whole platter!
You have my number with this dish. Taco + nachos? Yes please!!
BRILLIANT!
i wish that you could combine all the mexican foods in one glorious smorgasbord! This is ingenious. I’m so buying some of these sauces when I make it out for grocery shopping! I have the same dilemma at mexican restaurants and usually results in me ordering some kind of combo platter.
Who are we kidding? That whole skillet is MINE!